Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has always been a title that evokes strong opinions among fans of Monolith Soft's epic RPG series. The original Nintendo Switch release, while ambitious, struggled with technical limitations. Now, the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition arrives, promising a significant upgrade. This review delves into whether these enhancements transform the experience or if the core issues remain.
The Allure of Alrest Refined
Lost in a vast sea of clouds, the world of Alrest is a breathtaking setting where civilizations thrive on the backs of colossal Titans. Players follow Rex, a young salvager, and Pyra, a powerful living weapon known as a Blade, on a quest for the mythical paradise of Elysium. The premise itself is grand, and the Switch 2 Edition aims to make this journey more visually spectacular. The description promises 4K resolution in TV mode and full HD in handheld mode, all running at a smooth 60 frames per second, alongside "smoother and sharper cutscenes." For a game that often suffered from resolution dips and framerate issues on its original hardware, these are welcome upgrades.
Upon loading the game, the fluidity of movement is immediately apparent. Rex and the world move with a newfound grace that was absent before. It’s a genuinely impressive visual leap. However, this graphic fidelity isn’t without its caveats. During cutscenes, character models sometimes revert to a choppy, stuttering movement when turning or pivoting. This inconsistency is noticeable and can pull you out of the immersion, creating a "monkey's paw" effect for graphical hounds. Furthermore, audio mixing in cutscenes occasionally drowns out dialogue, a puzzling oversight that wasn't addressed in this update. A concerning bug in New Game+ where using an Amiibo can erase party members' third Item Pouch also remains unfixed.
Unyielding Complexity: Gameplay & Tutorials
One of the most significant criticisms leveled against the original Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was its impenetrable design, a flaw that the Switch 2 Edition regrettably fails to rectify. The game is a maximalist's dream, brimming with intricate combat systems, sub-systems, and character progression mechanics that can feel overwhelming. Tutorials are peppered throughout the first 25 hours of gameplay, but they often do a poor job of explaining the nuances of Blade Combos, Driver Combos, elemental orbs, or burst mechanics. The most glaring omission is the absence of an in-game reference guide or menu to revisit these crucial explanations. For an RPG of this scale, such a lack of accessibility is a major failing, leaving many players scrambling to understand fundamental mechanics.
Despite this, the core gameplay loop, once understood, can be incredibly rewarding. Commanding a group of unique Blades and chaining strategic attacks remains deeply engaging. The "maximalism" truly shines in the moment-to-moment experiences, with the Joycon's HD Rumble providing satisfying feedback for skill checks. Many of the game's unique sub-systems, like Shop Deeds for power-ups and the Salvaging mechanic, are meaty and contribute significantly to the overall experience, if you can navigate their poor introduction.
A Captivating Narrative and Memorable Characters
If you can push past the technical and tutorial hurdles, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 delivers a hard-hitting story that resonates deeply. The narrative of redemption, finding purpose, and living true to oneself is expertly woven, making it clear why this game’s story and characters, particularly Pyra and Mythra, have captivated so many. While the character designs by Masatsugu Saitō are more colorful and stylized than its predecessor, fitting the vibrant world of Alrest, the emotional depth of the story stretches far beyond the ostentatious aesthetics.
Voice acting is a mixed bag, with the English dub direction still spotty in the Switch 2 Edition. However, Skye Bennett’s performances as Pyra and Mythra are standout, truly stealing the show. David Menkin delivers a perfectly slimy Malos, a villain you love to hate. Al Weaver's Rex can be winsome and charming, though inconsistent direction occasionally hinders his performance. Interestingly, the Switch 2 Edition features a handful of new lines for characters like Dromarch and Zeke. While serviceable, the new actors are clearly distinct from the originals, which might be jarring for long-time fans.
New Additions: Merc Assault Mode & Gacha Odds
The Switch 2 Edition introduces the brand-new "Merc Assault mode," a welcome addition for players who've always wanted more direct control over their Blades or a musou-style experience. This real-time sortie mode allows players to mow down waves of enemies using weak and heavy attacks, alongside recharging specials, all while collecting power-ups. It integrates elements of the main game's Blade Combo system, making it immediately engaging and quite addictive. While it currently serves only Mercenary Missions, its potential for expanding gameplay options, perhaps even with new costume unlocks, is clear. It showcases Monolith Soft's experimentation with battle systems and mini-games, and they are definitely on the right track.
Regarding the controversial in-game gacha system for Rare Blades, anecdotes suggest improved odds for elusive Blades like KOS-MOS. However, personal experience couldn't definitively confirm this, nor could the new Blade, M.O.M.O., be acquired after numerous attempts. It seems the thrill (or frustration) of the gacha largely remains.
Final Verdict: Still Worth the Journey?
The Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a bittersweet update. The graphical improvements are undeniably beautiful, and the new Merc Assault mode adds a genuinely fun diversion. These are significant positives that enhance the overall presentation and gameplay. However, the game retains its most frustrating flaws: the painfully inadequate tutorial system, the unresolved character stuttering in cutscenes, and the inconsistent audio mixing. The new voice lines, while adding to the character pool, don't perfectly match the originals.
Despite these lingering issues, this is still Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – a sprawling, ambitious, and ultimately captivating RPG. If you are willing to overlook its rough edges and commit to understanding its intricate systems, the rewarding narrative, deep combat, and vast world of Alrest will undoubtedly draw you in. It’s not a straight improvement across the board, but for fans and newcomers alike, it’s an experience that, warts and all, everyone should at least try. Here’s hoping future patches address the remaining glitches and inconsistencies to make this definitive edition truly live up to its name.
Overall: A- Graphics: B+ Sound/Music: A- Gameplay: B+ Presentation: A
+ Graphical improvements are beautiful, the new Merc Assault mode is fun, base game is as fun as ever − Some hiccups with the graphical improvements, base game still has the same flaws it always had, voice matching for old actors isn't the best.
